The Keys to Jericho

by Ren Alexander

  Dash leans in, saying something to her. He then finishes off his own drink. When he sets down his glass, he nods to the bar, and grabbing her hand, leads her over to it.

  Pete goes over, talking to Dash, while personally taking care of their drinks, instead of the bartender working the bar. I look on as Hadley and Dash do multiple shots, racing each other, it seems. What the hell has gotten into her tonight? First, she’s chatting up Dash like he’s her new best friend, and now, she’s slamming back hard liquor with him? With me, at least, Hadley has never been a heavy drinker, usually nursing one beer to my five.

  Seeing Hadley become drunk right before my eyes with my best friend spurs me.

  An arm goes around mine, hugging me, and I look to see Kat watching Hadley and Dash, as well. She states, “Dash is getting drunk.”

  “I see that.”

  “They are adults.”

  “Adults who should not be together in any way possible.”

  Reading some of my thoughts, she says, “I don’t think she’d cheat on Finn, but do you think she has feelings for Dash?”

  “Fuck, I don’t know. She says he’s funny and cute.” Those leave a bad taste in my mouth.

  “Maybe you should talk to her, remind her that she has a boyfriend.”

  “She’s not going to listen to me while drunk.”

  “It might be the only time to say something to her. She shouldn’t be too far gone yet.”

  I mindlessly nod and she gives my arm a squeeze before turning to a squealing Liberty. Jesus Christ. We’re going to exchange rings and vows, not start a new country.

  Liberty excitedly squawks at Kat, and still watching Hadley and Dash, I sit down as I contemplate what to do next, unsure of confronting which one first.

  Rio takes the empty seat next to me. “So, uh, I just found out who your partner in crime was for this particular undertaking.” Fuck me.

  Crossing my arms, I reluctantly admit, “Yeah…”

  He rather proudly says, “You’re welcome, Jare.”

  I briefly glance at his grin and I raise an opposing eyebrow. What a dick.

  We then look on at the scene unfolding in front of us. In the matter of 30 seconds, Dash puts his hand on Hadley’s shoulder, back, and arm, being extremely unrestrained with her, which reminds me of how I always needed to touch Kat when we weren’t even a couple.

  Dash hands Hadley another shot, which she guzzles before he even picks up his glass. Forget Dash. What the fuck is her problem?

  When he finishes, Dash leans in, saying something next to her ear, his hand goes to her bare leg, annoying the fuck out of me. However, when Hadley’s hand goes to his leg, squeezing his thigh, I sit straight up in my chair. Her gesture says a whole lot more than his does, and I don’t like what she’s saying to him.

  Dash hops off his stool, helping Hadley off hers, and they head to the dance floor for a slow song, holding onto each other unlike mere drinking buddies. His hands go to her hips, holding her close to him, while her arms wrap around his neck. Even the way she looks up at him isn’t good.

  Rio ultimately asks, “What the hell is going on with them? Dash is all over your sister.”

  “Finn isn’t here. That’s why.”

  “I know they grew up together, but shit, he looks like he wants her.”

  “He does.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. Dash has been infatuated with Hadley since we were in grade school. This is the first time she’s really given him any attention.”

  “Fuck. He’s eating it up.”

  “Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of. Dash wants to fuck Hadley, and he’s not even hiding that he would if she let him.”

  On the dance floor, they laugh and Dash says something to Hadley, causing her to giggle more. With his dimpled smile and affable personality, Dash probably could charm the skirt off my sister. However, inebriated or not, that won’t be happening if I can stop them. In my favor is the fact that they don’t have many places to be alone here.

  When Hadley whispers something in Dash’s ear, I see his enthusiastic smile as he licks his lip, looking like an enraptured chump. Normally, Dash Calder has no chance in Hell against Finn Wilder, winning Hadley’s affections, but with the way she’s behaving now, I think Finn is losing.

  Kat rounds the other side of me, and sitting down, she says, “I’m worried, Jared. For so many reasons. They’re both drunk. I don’t want their next move to be kissing. Hadley would regret it, and Dash would get hurt, plus hurting Finn, and you. Please, say something to them before it’s too late.”

  Grinding my teeth together as my fingers tighten into fists, I tell Rio, “You get Dash. I’ll get Hadley. I need to talk to her alone before things go too far.”

  “What do you want me to say to him?”

  “Tell him if he values his life, he’ll put away his hard-on he has for my sister.”

  Rio sighs before we get up and head to the bar, where they are again. When I go up to my sister, I strive to not start anything with Dash in front of Hadley. Helping me is how fast Rio tows him from the bar.

  Hadley avoids looking at me as she picks up another shot glass. I let her finish it before grabbing her arm and leading out of the room.

  As I drag her, she shouts, “What are you doing?”

  I don’t answer her as I weave us through the crowd to the door leading to the second-floor patio, overlooking a patch of trees. It’s crowded but only in areas. I drag her to the corner near the doorway, trapping her.

  Crossing my arms, I spew, “Jesus Christ, Hadley! What the hell is going on with you and Dash?”

  She scowls at me, crossing her own arms. “Watch your mouth, Jared! We’re not doing anything! We’re just having fun!”

  “While drinking! You don’t know how many wrongs can come from that!”

  “We’re not doing anything wrong!”

  “I told you that Dash has a fucking crush on you! Why are you leading him on like that?”

  “I’m not trying to!”

  I roll my eyes and bite, “It really looks that way from where I was sitting! Even Rio knows Calder’s dick is gunning for you!”

  “Jared! Nothing is going on! I always thought Dash was cute, but I never thought of him more than just your best friend!”

  “Until now? He’d die happy if he fucks you, Hadley!”

  Her mouth drops open. “Jared Beckett! Why do you have to say that shit? ”

  Disregarding her question, I angrily ask, “You do remember that you have a boyfriend, right?”

  “Yeah, I do! It’s just nice to have someone paying attention to me!”

  I bitterly laugh. “Are you serious? Last time Finn was here, he more than paid attention to you! He couldn’t keep his fucking hands off you or his dick to himself! That must’ve been enough attention for you to ride him as much as I heard!”

  She cringes as she sneers, “Fuck you, Jared! Finn is the one who doesn’t remember that he has a girlfriend!” Hadley abruptly bites her lip and looks away from me.

  I cock my head to see her face. “Shit! Is he screwing around on you?”

  She shakes her head as her eyes take on a glassy shine. Glancing at me, she mumbles, “I don’t know. He says he’s camping, and I want to believe him, but… His best friend cheated on his wife. I don’t know if Finn would do that to me, too, not that I’m his wife or ever will be.”

  I snap, “Like I told you then, find someone who will marry you.”

  “I don’t want someone else!”

  “You’re close to fucking my best friend!” As soon as I say that, I regret it, knowing I did do that to her. More than once.

  Hadley’s face turns red and she explodes, “I am not, Jared! What comes out of your mouth is unbelievable!”

  “You’re drunk! Things happen!”

  “I would never cheat on Finn! Why do you care anyway? I don’t even know who you are! One minute, you’re denouncing marriage like it’s the scam of the century, and the next, y
ou’re announcing your fucking engagement to a girl I thought was only a friend of yours! I asked and she said you weren’t dating!”

  “We’re not just dating!”

  “How can you marry her when you don’t love anyone? You said you don’t believe in that shit!”

  “I’ve been in love with Kat for as long as I’ve known her!” Christ.

  “You met in high school!”

  “I know that!”

  She scoffs, “Right. You’ve been in love with her since then? Highly improbable since you said love doesn’t exist. That would mean you lied and have been suffering all these years without Kat.”

  I truthfully say, “Yeah. Painfully.”

  She slowly contorts her face as she realizes what I just said. “How come you never told anyone?”

  I dubiously laugh. “Who was I going to tell?”

  “Me! We used to be close! Maybe I could’ve helped you.”

  “You couldn’t have.”

  “Why weren’t you together if you loved her?”

  I sigh. “It was complicated, Hadley.”

  “I doubt that. If you just told her then, I bet you would’ve been together all these years.”

  “I couldn’t even admit it to myself.” Now I can’t stop telling people just how clueless I was. Jesus.

  Hadley brushes her fingers through her long hair, looking at people milling around the patio. As she does, she muses, “I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “It’s good.”

  I uncross my arms, running a hand through my own hair, and saying, “I know you want to marry Finn.”

  “You said he’ll never change his mind.”

  I heave a hefty sigh. “Finn might. I did when the right woman came along. If he’s not incredibly stupid, he’ll know you’re the one. If he doesn’t, then he doesn’t deserve you anyway.” Frustrated with Finn, too, I shake my head and yell, “He can’t even take you out in public in his goddamned viewing area! What the fuck is that shit?”

  Hadley shouts, “Forget what I told you! I’m going back inside!” She tries to dodge past me, and just like I did with Kat, I block her. She pushes on my arm, but I still refuse to let her by me. “Jared, move!”

  I snarl, “No way. I’m not done with you.”

  “What? He wants his fans to think he’s single. I don’t have a say! That’s how he wants to handle his career!”

  “And you’re okay with that? What the hell is wrong with you? Where’s your damn backbone, Hadley Beckett?”

  “You can shut the fuck up, Jared! There! Backbone enough for you?”

  I sneeringly laugh. “Barely.”

  “I don’t know what else to say to make you understand!”

  Glaring down at her, I say, “You love him. I get that. What I don’t get is how you let him stuff you into a trunk, only pulling you out to play with you whenever he feels like it, just as long as his door is shut and the lights are off. Nobody can see him in the light of day with you. All those fans of his think his dick is up for grabs. Do you want that?”

  Hadley’s eyes well up again and she garbles, “He’s not cheating on me. He…”

  “You don’t really know, do you?”

  She throws out her arms. “What is being with him in public going to prove, even if he is cheating? He’ll still do it!”

  “Maybe it’ll keep those fans with morals, who do know he’s taken, to keep a respectful distance from him!”

  Her hands go to her hair, twisting it. “I want to trust him. I love him, Jared, but I’m afraid he’s going to break my heart.”

  “And if he does, I’ll make sure that’s the last fucking thing he ever breaks.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I don’t want you getting involved in my problems. You’re my little brother.”

  I laugh. “Too late. And guess what? I’m going to be your neighbor.”

  Hadley lifts her wet eyes to my face. “What?”

  “Next summer, I’m moving to Virginia. I’ll be working in Richmond, so there’s your warning, or his, I should say.”

  “There’s nothing to warn about, but it’ll be good having you close.”

  “Yeah. I’m just not bringing Dash with me.”

  She tilts her head, giving me an impatient look, but then her hand goes to her forehead as she closes her eyes. I ask, “You okay? The alcohol?”

  Hadley slowly nods. “Yeah. I don’t feel great. My head is starting to hurt.”

  “We can leave. It’s probably better that we do.”

  She peers up at me. “I don’t want to ruin your night.”

  “You’re not.”

  “Kat might get mad.”

  “She won’t.” She’d most likely want to be in bed with me again.

  Hadley smiles, but it’s more of a courtesy, instead of a joy. “I like her. She’s pretty, too. I really am happy for you.”

  “Thanks. I like her, too.” I grin, making Hadley’s smile widen somewhat, but I know her heart is hurting. Finn better not be fucking around on Hadley or he won’t like the dare I offer him.

  Going back to the table, I see Rio sitting next to Dash in the corner, nearly pinning him to his chair. Pulling Hadley down with me, I whisper to Kat, “We need to go.”

  She nods. “No problem. Is she okay?”

  “Not really.”

  Kat says, “Just drop me off at my apartment.”

  Shaking my head, I argue, “No. I’m staying with you.”

  “Do you have clothes at your dad’s?”

  “Some, but—”

  “I think you should stay at his house tonight. We’ll be together tomorrow and for the rest of the time you’re here.”

  “I don’t need to stay there.”

  “Jared, just tonight. For your sister.”

  Rolling my eyes in irritation, I grumble, “Fine. I’ll be by in the morning, though.”

  “Afternoon. We’ll have lunch.”

  I scoff, “Do you always win?”

  “Only when it counts.” She smiles and I kiss her. In front of everyone.

  On the way home, the ride was quiet. I made Hadley sit up front with me this time, so Dash wouldn’t be turning around talking to her, but he made no sound in the car or any attempt to talk to her from the backseat. It’s best he just forgets about ever having a chance with her. It’s not going to happen for him. I’ll make sure of that.

  Dropping off Kat at her apartment, I would’ve walked her to the door, but she insisted I stay in the car, coming around to my window to give me a kiss goodnight. She whispered that I shouldn’t leave Hadley and Dash alone in a car when they’re drunk. Good thinking, I guess. However, when I whispered for her to go wash the junk off her face, she rolled her eyes at me and smacked my arm.

  Arriving at my dad’s, Hadley went up to her room, without much said to me, which is a waste for me even staying here.

  Walking into the living room, my dad looks up from his laptop. “How’d it go? Hadley didn’t say a word to me before going upstairs.”

  I shrug. “She’s drunk, and feeling sick.”

  “She actually got that drunk?”

  “Yeah. Fast, too. With Dash.”

  Dad laughs. “Oh.”

  I sit on the edge of the coffee table, next to his feet, and sigh. “Not good, Dad. I had to separate them.”

  “Why?”

  “Dash. You know how he feels about Hadley. It’s obvious.”

  He rubs his chin and says, “Huh. Kind of like how you were with Kat?”

  I roll my eyes. “I doubt it. He’s far worse.”

  Dad shakes his head with a laugh. “And I doubt that.”

  “Hadley was downing the shots like they were running out of alcohol. She’s taking my engagement hard. I didn’t even think of that. I feel kind of bad now that we announced it like we did.”

  “Why is Hadley taking it so hard? She said she’s happy for you.”

  “She wants to marry Finn. Yesterday.”
/>   “Oh.”

  “Finn and I had a talk when he was here. He said he isn’t ready for marriage and doesn’t know if he ever will be.”

  “Really?” He sighs. “Poor girl. I hope he does love Hadley and will marry her, but it worries me that he doesn’t acknowledge her as his girlfriend. If he can’t even do that, how’s he going to become her husband?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. He probably won’t if his career comes first.”

  “I don’t want him to break her heart. Maybe I should talk to him.”

  “That’s the last thing you should do. It’s bad enough she knows that I talked to him. If you say something to Finn, too, I think that would push Hadley over the edge.”

  Dad sighs, crossing his arms. “Damn it. I really like Finn and from what I can see, he does love Hadley. But if it gets too much... If he hurts her…”

  “I’ll intervene. I’ll be down there anyway. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  “You’ll be a newlywed, Jared. You’ll have your own life to worry about.”

  “She’s my sister. I’ll watch out for her.” Lowering my voice, I mumble, “I owe her.”

  He sighs again, eyeing me as he considers what I said. “Okay then.”

  “I uh… I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I appreciate it.”

  Confused, he screws up his face, shaking his head. “I haven’t done anything.”

  Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms, and I smile thinking about how alike my dad and I probably are. “Yeah, you did. You forced me to see what I should’ve seen years ago, and to take action before it’s too late. If it weren’t for you… Shit. I don’t know what I’d do.”

  “It’s no problem. I’ll always look out for you and Hadley. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again until you realize that. You’ll do the same thing for your kids someday.”

  I nod and clear my throat. “I will. Even so, I still want you to know how much your help means to me.”

  He smiles and shrugs. “Okay. You’re welcome.”

  “Um, I was wondering… I’m not sure…” I mutter, “Fuck.”

  Dad’s eyes grow huge and sitting up, he rubs his hand over his graying stubble, and suddenly looking anxious. “What is it, Jared. What’s wrong? Are you not telling me something?”